Christmas in Tracy

We got together before Christmas with Brett's family and had a fun and relaxing day of food, conversation, and of course watching the cousins rip through the wrapping paper to uncover the presents underneath. James and I spent many hours either putting things together or working on getting the presents out of the very tight packaging that all toys seem to come in these days. Ah, the blessing of children and the delight in their eyes over both giving and receiving.

Red, green, red, green...I think we are creating a pattern!

Daddy, I think the baby is wearing green today too, since he's a boy.

Amazing, the camera took the picture all by itself...Aunt Wendy, where is your red?

No, no, no Bryce, don't touch, this is a remote control car and I have the controls! ---------->

Wow, my own construction site set, we'll see what I can negotiate now when big brother wants to play with these...perhaps the birthright...

Our Christmas

We had our own Christmas celebration on parts of a few different days: why not spread out the celebration, right? Family time and watching the boys feed off of each other is a blast, these two don't look like much trouble do they?

Who do you think finished his candy cane first? Actually it was my little brother.
Nothing like giving your brother a wet one in the ear for a picture.

Can I help put the ornaments on the tree?

Nope I didn't swallow your Star Wars figure big brother, you might find something else in there though...

Wait a minute, I'm an elf and Bryce is Santa, there is something that doesn't quite fit here, but I guess it makes for a funny picture.

Christmas Train of Lights

On December 13th, we went on our second annual trip on the Train of Lights between Sunol and Fremont. This time we had our very own private room with Peter and Cheryl and their families. I know it sounds expensive to have your own private room, but we really happened upon it by chance with no extra cost--bonus. Bryce slept through half of it, but we all enjoyed the decorative lights and, of course, travelling on a train is always a hit with our boys.

Hey that's our cabin, right above me, hi mommy.

Daddy, that other train has lights too, who is going faster?

Santa made me a little shy again this year, but it was fun to have him visit our cabin. Thomas and Elizabeth were a little more prepared than I was, maybe next year...


Daddy, it's cold out here, but I'm loving the train ride, can we have some hot chocolate, or should I say lukewarm chocolate?

December 2008

We can't believe December 2008 has already come and gone. We enjoyed getting time to spend with friends and family both here in California and in Michigan. However, we would vote to hold Christmas in July when the weather is a little nicer for travel back to the midwest. We did enjoy some of the snow on Christmas Day with a little sledding. Hope you enjoy all our pictures. Here is some more video of the boys just being themselves as they wish you a Happy New Year.

Garrett 3y 6mo

Wow, officially 3 1/2 years old, Garrett is truly a little boy with a mind of his own and a plan. He has mastered the art of convincing Bryce what he wants to do. Although sometimes he forgets that he actually wants to see his brother distracted, doing some other task to protect his intricately set up battlefield, construction site, or town.



Mommy, this is a great treetop fort for my guys. You don't mind if I borrow it for a while?







If I squeeze a little bit harder he might actually drop the stormtrooper.

I love it when my brother plays Star Wars with me in our secret couch base.

Was I safe?






Do you think I'll ever be as tall as this tree?

How is this for a pose?

Think I can hang lights up as high as Daddy? Ok maybe I need a little taller ladder.

Bryce 16 months

Bryce is now 16 months old and continues to grow up quickly. His vocabulary continues to expand as he has added: car, dump truck, john deere, cow, apple, cycle, backhoe, and turkey. He is also running with more effectiveness. This all during a month in which he fought off viruses and spiked fevers made his accomplishments even more remarkable.

I can play construction site too! My favorite is the tractor.






My feel good face.
The A says ahhhh.

I'm not too shy to hide my cute face from the camera.




Running down the hall for diaper races, I'm gettin' faster.

How high can I climb? Or should I ask, how high am I supposed to climb?


Play me to hear all my words...

Leaves are Falling

Our big tree in front has been dropping leaves for the last month, so we just had to go outside and play in the big piles that we had made. After working hard, and yes, actually helping the process the boys played in the piles. You can be the judge on whether or not you think the boys are enjoying themselves.

Knew I could throw these leaves, don't worry I wasn't going for distance.

They really are quite soft and fluffy, would you like to come play too? Maybe I can convince Daddy to staple them inside some packaging paper and make like a "bean bag" out of them, oh, he already tried that in Chicago...

See I talked my big brother into joining me, he likes leaves too.


When I stretch really high I can put some leaves in the green bin too, or they all just end up back on my head, but hey, I'm trying to help.

Raking is an acquired skill, of course it might help if you use the correct sized rake little brother. He'll get the hang of it, eventually.

Don't worry, we have no intention of being thrown away or recycled, but it sure is fun to stomp down the leaves so Mommy and Daddy can fit more here.

Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was celebrated with Brett's family in Brett's absence. We were thankful that we had family to get together with and share a special meal. Brett was thankful that he has a job and that he had the ability to help others feel better today. When asked what Garrett was thankful for this year he stated: cars, trucks, buses, trains, construction site, star wars, and when prompted he was thankful for family and friends. We were touched by Haley's thoughtful comments that she was thankful for cousins. We hope that you had a blessed Thanksgiving as well.

Baby Boy Farley

We were excited to get a chance to bring Garrett and Bryce to see the baby growing in Mommy's tummy. At 17 weeks, thanks to modern technology, we were able to find out that our baby is going to be another baby boy! Great, at least we know what to do with boys and he should fit right in. We are very excited about this new little addition to our family and what God has planned for him. Now our next project is naming him. Stay tuned...

The boys were really excited when they heard our little guy's heartbeat, they just weren't in the mood to pose for a picture.

Well 4 of you identified me correctly as boy...

Check out my shoulder strap in my seatbelt! First class style.

Grammy's Birthday

Brett's family got together to celebrate Grammy's birthday. It was good to see her slowly regaining her energy after her stroke a month ago. The grandkids sure wanted to help Grammy with everything from blowing out her candles to opening her presents. Who would have thought that in between these events, Garrett and Haley ran around the house playing Star Wars...

I've got this corner, you get the ribbon, you hold it still...we'll take care of you Grammy.

We'll huff and we'll puff and we'll blow out all your candles!